Product Image 1 of 1

Tradition, Trade and Transformation

Textiles of Southeast Asia

Tradition, Trade and Transformation

Textiles provide a visual history of a country's culture and crafting traditions in a way few other things can accomplish. In Textiles of Southeast Asia, Dr. Robyn Maxwell provides the definitive work on Southeast Asian textiles.

Traditional textiles are one of the most widely collected and important categories of Southeast Asian art. Using an extensive range of locally produced raw materials and an astonishing array of techniques—including applique, weaving, batik and embroidery—the textiles of Southeast Asia are astonishing in their versatility and originality. Textiles are used to fashion everything from everyday clothing to sacred and ceremonial costumes, shrouds and wrapping cloths, hangings, banners and ritual regalia—all of which are represented and explained in Textiles of Southeast Asia.

This authoritative text focuses on the changing relationship between indigenous Southeast Asian traditions and the outside influences continuing to be brought to the area, which change the nature of the region's textile traditions. This book considers the various ways Southeast Asian textile artisans reacted over the centuries to the steady stream of new and powerful ideas and raw materials arriving from India, China, the Islamic world and Europe. A detailed and definitive resource, Textiles of Southeast Asia is a welcome addition to the field of textiles.

Browse Related Books

Praise

"She has certainly succeeded admirably in masterfully exploring the foundations, major foreign influences, and the diverse and complex meanings that textiles have had for the various peoples of the region … Will be a standard work for years to come."

"She has certainly succeeded admirably in masterfully exploring the foundations, major foreign influences, and the diverse and complex meanings that textiles have had for the various peoples of the region … Will be a standard work for years to come."

– Journal of Asian Studies

"This important volume should interest students of ethnic textiles as well as the general reader."

– Choice

"A great educational and reference read on textiles, its historical origin and the changes it has gone through over the years. If you've got a passion to be in the fashion industry, this is one book that you should read."

– A Shopaholics Den

"If you're after in depth knowledge on the history, culture and influences on the area this really is the book for you."

– The Asian Fashion Journal

Get a FREE eBook when you join our mailing list.

Plus, receive updates on new releases, recommended reads and more from Simon & Schuster.